Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Apparently, God Loves a Color Change

This morning, I went running on a Birmingham mountain (really just an oversized hill), and I was overwhelmed by all the magnificent trees that surrounded me. I was sad that I was running such a narrow, rocky path, because I would have liked to spend the whole run looking up at those trees instead of down at my feet. It made me think about God (as nature often does) and about how well He does things. He could have said, "Ok, trees need to have life and death cycles once a year for everything to work like I need it to in the universe. So, when the weather starts to get crisp WHAM all the leaves will die, turn brown/black, and fall to the ground." Instead He gives us a profusion of color in their death that makes fall a magnificent time of year to be alive.

Apparently, God was loving another kind of color change this fall as well :) While I will admit that at 10:30 last night when the "OBAMA ELECTED!" signs started flashing all over our television screens, my initial reaction was a pit in my stomach, followed by some ranting about Democrats. My main issue is that, while this whole tax cut for people making less than $200,000/year is going to do wonders for us down here in the "just above food stamps" bracket, I think it is heinously wrong. I think our country was founded on the ideal of capitalism--the idea that if you work hard you should be able to get ahead--and KEEP your own stinkin' money as an incentive to continue to work hard and fuel the economy. I understand that there are people who physically cannot support themselves and I would be a heartless person to say I don't think they should be helped. However, I think that our welfare system is SO corrupt that that money is not getting to the people it is intended to reach. At this point, I am getting politically over my head, but I will end my rant by saying that I think we are slowly turning into a Socialistic country--so slowly that people will hardly notice the differences--and this will turn our already flailing economy into a pit.

All THAT said last night to Jeremiah as we went to bed, I was able to drift off to sleep and wake up this morning to the fact that we will have an African American President of the United States. I am sure you have all heard that so much today that you don't care to hear it from me again (so I'll spare you all my musings on why that is so incredible), but just like yesterday when my chest puffed with pride at the thought of being a part of diverse America, it puffed with pride for much the same reason this morning. I heard Bubba (of Rick and Bubba) say on the radio this morning, "If the Democrats want the keys, then, heck, toss 'em too 'em and lets just see what they can do with this mess. Good luck." (That was extremely paraphrased.) Those two things pretty much wrap up how I'm feeling today. Proud to be an American and interested to see what our next President (and majority democratic Senate and House) are going to do now that THEY are at the wheel. Just like the leaves in the fall, in my own little heart, it feels a bit like things are dying with this new color change in Washington. The death is not the fault of the color, but what's going on on the inside. I hope I'm proved wrong and everything comes back green again in the summertime.

I had originally left a long response and then couldn't figure out my password, accidently published it after I figured it out, then had to delete it because my spelling was so bad! hehe. (can't figure out spell check on this thing). Anyway, right on Abbs. I consider myself somewhat politically minded. So with that being said, unfortunately we are in for a very, very unsure 4 yrs. if you and your readers are not already aware of that. These are the facts. The dems are in for one heck of a rude awakening. Politics particularly concerning the president is like football. You might have a decent quarterback, but if you aint got a smart team to support him, you aint got nothin. (i'm slangin of course). In this case, as of last night we aint got nothin! I believe we are in for what we had with Carter. We will have 4 years of economic worries in which this country will need lots of prayer and we will all need to come together as Christians and do our part with prayer. Good news...4 years of Carter brought us Reagan. Our major problem though is one thing that probably can't be changed...the media. Until the people of the United States start thinking for themselves and not relying on the media for biased information we will be headed for socialism that's for sure. Hopefully the people of the US will get off their lazy brains and start using the stuff in our heads that God gave us.Great blog darling!k

Once again....very well said. Great analogy. Count me in for NOT listening to the liberal media feeding us what they want us to think....God has given us our minds and it is irresponsible to NOT use them!! I think there's a conservative revival brewing....lets all hope!

why can't your peope read my blog and leave nice comments? i posted a political cartoon and was almost certain the world was coming to an end in the "comments section"... seriously, there is some crazy bitterness on my comments section... you should go see and pray they don't all read your blog too because then you'll be sad and depressed like i am that we live in such a fallen world and that people aren't responsible for their words or actions. i love you and your thoughts!!!

I really agree with Kendall's point on the media. I did a post and suggested that the 24 hour news is the worst thing that has happened to politics. I love the fall picture and liked the analogy.You are such a great writer!!

I couldn't have said it better myself (of course I couldn't b/c you just have a WAY with words!) Beautiful picture - what time do you have to get up to run before the kiddies get up and Jeremiah is out to work - i try, but it only happens a couple of times a week at 4:30am.

Abby, I have to agree--- this will be a daunting time for us. Lets join together and remain on our knees throughout this next four years! Remember....We walk by Faith, NOT by Sight...I know I am holding on to that thought! WE just need to tune into our hearts and listening to it as we speak.Obama words will have to line up with The Bible for me! We will wait and see.http://www.interviewwithgod.com/patriotic/highband.htmBe sure to visit this site. You won't be sorry! Love the picture! God is good as I see this every morning where I live! Only thing better would be...the ocean! LOL... Have a blessed day and visit that site above when you can.

I love reading your blog! I am a nurse at Children's on the ortho floor and I came upon your blog through a girl I know! I just have to tell you that you have two beautiful girls and a husband who is a wonderful doctor! We liked being able to call on someone who actually knew what was going on! Please tell Dr. Maddox good luck in the future, he is one of the best. Be blessed! Mandy Davis